With Carcillo out for season, rookie showing grit, knack for scoring

With Daniel Carcillo lost for the season with a left knee injury, the Blackhawks are down one agitator who possesses some offensive skills.

Already filling part of the role is rookie Andrew Shaw, who has displayed grit and a knack for scoring that could help offset the loss of Carcillo, who spent part of his 28 games playing on the Hawks' top line while also providing some protection. Unlike Carcillo, who was serving a seven-game suspension when it was announced he would miss the rest of the season, Shaw has been able to keep the physical aspect of the game within the rules.

"When you look at what Shaw is capable of doing … he can bring energy to his line and our team," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's smart as far as how he plays the game. He's got a pretty good awareness on the timing of (agitating). That goes along with his skills and overall thought process for the game."

A fifth-round selection (139th overall) in the 2011 entry draft, the 20-year-old Shaw got into a fight in his first NHL appearance and has four goals in seven career games after scoring during the third period of the Hawks' 4-3 victory over the Sharks on Sunday night at the United Center.

"Ever since I started hockey I've always been like that," Shaw said of his scrappiness, in part developed by rough-housing with two brothers close to his age when they were younger. "I don't know what it is. I just have the drive to win, I guess."

Future shock: Carcillo is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will need six months of rehabilitation. Quenneville didn't rule out the Hawks bringing Carcillo, who will be an unrestricted free agent, back next season.

"We'll talk about a lot of things at the end of the year and that will be part of the equation, but Danny didn't hurt (his chances of returning)," he said.

Progress: Quenneville said Patrick Sharp is "progressing" as the winger recovers from a left wrist injury. Sharp is expected to be out at least another two weeks.